The Humane Society of the United States is backing a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule banning the trade in large constricting snakes and opposing a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the agency’s action.

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Results from two undercover investigations at roadside zoos revealed inhumane treatment of tiger cubs exploited for photographic opportunities, indiscriminate breeding of tigers, rampant trade in cubs for public handling and dumping of the cubs once they were no longer profitable. The Humane Society of the United States conducted the investigations at Tiger Safari in Oklahoma and Natural Bridge Zoo in Virginia.

Cynthia Armstrong, Oklahoma state director of The Humane Society of the United States, released a statement in response to a female employee at the G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Okla. being mauled by an adult tiger

Brent, a 37-year-old retired chimpanzee from Chimp Haven in Keithville, La., has won first place in The Humane Society of the United States’ Chimpanzee Art Contest, which featured paintings created by chimpanzees living in sanctuaries throughout the United States and generated more than 27,000 votes.

Senators introduced a bill that seeks to protect public safety and promote animal welfare by helping state law enforcement crack down on the trade of primates for private possession, and to promote global conservation efforts.

After a 14-foot, 100 pound African rock python killed two children in New Brunswick, Canada, The Humane Society of the United States again urged the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to immediately ban the import and interstate transport of five additional large constrictor snake species for the pet trade.

Born Free USA, the Jane Goodall Institute, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and International Fund for Animal Welfare

Animal protection organizations applaud introduction of the Captive Primate Safety Act which amends the Lacey Act to prohibit interstate commerce in monkeys, apes and other primates for the exotic pet trade

Intelligent, strong, and highly active, bears kept as pets endure significant suffering. Bears are one of the most challenging species to keep in captivity and often develop neurotic behaviors, and even those captive-bred and bottle-raised are capable of killing people or inflicting serious injuries.

Large constrictor snakes like pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas are powerful wild animals capable of killing an adult human—and they are commonly and legally kept as "pets" throughout the United States. Allowing private possession of these dangerous reptiles threatens public safety, environmental health, and the welfare of the animals themselves.

There are an estimated 15,000 primates kept as pets in the United States. These highly intelligent and social animals suffer greatly in the pet trade, posing risks to both the animals and the people who keep them.

A roadside zoo in Mississippi has lost its exhibitor license after 43 years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture revoked the license following an undercover investigation and legal complaints to state and federal officials by The Humane Society of the United States.

Nearly one dozen dangerous wild animals were removed from an Atchison, Kan., property after authorities discovered that the animals had been abandoned in their enclosures without access to food or clean water.

The Arkansas State Legislature passed a number of animal protection bills that were signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe this legislative session, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.

Michiganders concerned about animal welfare converged on the state capitol for Humane Lobby Day in Lansing on Tuesday to lobby for better laws to protect pets and exotic animals and to oppose the legislature’s underhanded attempt to stifle the voting rights of Michigan citizens on wildlife issues.

Membership

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to The Humane Society of the United States are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390.